Train Strasbourg → Basel

Where smart people learn to love Alsace Capital of Alsace, home of the European Parliament and the Council of Europe, and less than 2.5 hours from Paris by TGV, Strasbourg beckons with a blend of history and modernity. The Grande Île, Strasbourg's historic city center, is a UNESCO world heritage site. This was the first time such an honor was placed on an entire city center. There are incredible sights to see in just this one area : The Palais Rohan, 500-hundred year old churches including the Cathédral de Nôtre Dame (the tallest medieval building in Europe) and its famous astronomical clock. If you're lucky to be here around the holidays, the Strasbourg Christmas market surrounding the church has been an annual event since 1570. The neighborhood known as Petit France sits along the banks of The Grand Île. Famous for its medieval, black and white timber-framed buildings, the renowned Maison Kammerzell is the city's best example on Place de la Cathédrale in an area formerly belonging to the Holy Roman Empire. Learn more about Strasbourg

The Olympics of the art World Located on the banks of the Rhine, at the border between Switzerland, France and Germany, Basel is Switzerland’s third largest city. It’s also world-renowned for THE premier international art show for modern and contemporary works. But more on that in just a pointillist dot. Basel should also be well known for its main train station, which is practically a city in its own right. You can enter through the “French” side, go through a winding hall and exit through the “Swiss” side. Up the stairs, you’ll find a bank, grocery store and wine shop (sure, get money, buy wine and cheese, and start living the Swiss way). Downstairs, you’ll find the oddly named McClean area. For a few Swiss Francs you can use these shower facilities that includes a towel, soap and shampoo. This is great for someone who arrives by overnight train and wants to freshen up before heading out into the city. Learn more about Basel